BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN:- Brunei has recorded a nearly 50 per cent increase in agricultural and fisheries production from US$391.76 million in 2017 to US$551.58 million in 2024.
The Ministry of Industry and Primary Resources on Sunday (April 13) said that in an effort to enhance Brunei's food security and for future direction in the food industry, the ministry has identified six main commodities, notably rice, poultry, chicken eggs, beef, vegetables and fish.
Over the past three years, the country has also achieved eight per cent self-sufficiency for rice production.
Minister of Industry and Primary Resources Haji Abdul Manaf Metussin at the recent legislative council said eggs and chicken meat production had surpassed local demand at 103 per cent and 100 per cent, respectively.
However, beef and buffalo meat remain low at approximately 2.3 per cent. Tropical vegetables and fish production are at 72 per cent and 74 per cent, respectively.
The ministry, farmers and entrepreneurs are committed to intensifying efforts to achieve self-sufficiency in these commodities in order to stabilise the price and to reduce dependency on imports.
The ministry's Department of Agriculture and Agrifood is implementing three main initiatives to boost rice production, namely through encouraging high-yield hybrid rice, carrying out research and development on new varieties, and enhancing soil fertility for rice production. - Xinhua
